Page 49 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

“He’ll be along shortly. He went for a walk down by the loch.”

Mari relaxed and finished her meal, all the while keeping an eye on the entrance to the hall. When she was done and Cameron still wasn’t back, she went looking for him.

She loved the MacKinlay lands, the rolling hills and sharp peaks under a wide sky. Freedom. She could breathe here like she’d never been able to before.

As she walked the familiar trail, she thought of how nice it would be if she came across him bathing. The thought of seeing his wet skin against the setting sun caused her feet to move faster. She was only slightly disappointed to find him fully clothed and sitting on a rock. He was tossing small stones into the water, causing the ripples to span out from his perch.

As she stood there, she felt as though she’d encroached on a private moment. Similar to the way she’d intruded earlier on Kenna and Lachlan’s moment. As much as she loved it here, she knew she didn’t truly belong. She needed to keep everyone at a distance so she would be able to leave them at any moment if it became necessary.

It was odd to see Cameron so still other than in sleep. Before she had the chance to leave him to his thoughts, he turned and spied her. Instead of the normal smile he offered upon seeing her, he turned back and looked out over the water again.

“Is everything well?” she asked, her body stiffening. Was he angry that she’d tracked him down? Had he wanted to be alone? Had he planned to meet someone else there? Instinct caused her to take a step back.

His single laugh was harsh, and her hands shook as she looked over her shoulder, ready to make a quick escape. He shook his head and tossed out another stone. “My health is good, but I’m not well. I think I’m going mad.”

“What’s happened?” Despite her fear, she stepped closer, only to find the ground leveled off so she wasn’t able to reach him on the rock where he sat. She wanted to touch him. To make sure he was well.

The man sneering out at the loch was not her husband. Perhaps he was going mad…

“We had an agreement. This marriage was to our mutual benefit, but it’s not to be anything more. Safety, freedom, and pleasure. Those were things we agreed upon.”

She swallowed and once again instinctively stepped out of range. He was angry. Though, she was sure he wouldn’t hurt her. Mostly.

“And what makes you think that has changed?” she asked.

He turned to look at her, his eyes dark in the waning sun. They weren’t the soft honey that made her melt. They were hardened amber. Her feet moved another two steps back all on their own.

“Tell me you don’t want more from me.” His voice was low and challenging.

She took another step back as he turned on the rock to face her. His legs were dangling over the edge, so it would be an easy thing for him to slide off and land right in front of her. Grab her. Shake her…

“I don’t,” she barely whispered, and hoped it was true.

She felt something for him. She obviously cared about him enough to check on him when he didn’t return. Was that bad? Many marriages started out of convenience and became more over time. Things changed between people. Especially when they got to know each other the way she was getting to know Cameron.

Perhaps she had gotten to know him too well. It was clear he was not pleased to think she cared for him.

“I suppose I’ve come to care for you as my husband. But I don’t have any expectations for more,” she amended, as much for herself as for him. She needed to be reminded that her time at Dunardry was temporary.

At some point Ridley would return, and she would need to escape. She knew Cameron would protect her. He’d most likely send Ridley on a wild goose chase to buy her time to get farther away. But she had no doubts when she left her new home, she would be leaving alone.

“I told you I didn’t want you to care about me,” he said harshly. “What will happen when I’m called off to battle? Will you be standing by my horse wailing for me not to leave you? And if I don’t return? What then? I warned ye it wasn’t safe. I told you—” He winced in anger and let his head fall. “This isn’t what I wanted. I was verra clear.”

“If you think I will not worry about you when you’re in battle, that’s ridiculous. You are my husband. We may not be bound by emotions, but I do not wish anything to happen to you. You’re a good man. I would hate to see any good man taken in battle.”

He let out a sigh. “We should be apart for a while. Let things settle a bit between us.”

“Whatever you think is best.” She nodded and stared at the ground. He was right to worry. She’d begun to crave his kisses. Hadn’t she even hoped to see him naked as she’d come to the loch? A little distance would do them good.

“I’m going scouting. I’ll be away for a few days. We’ll talk when I return.”

She nodded again and left before she did something foolish.

Like ask him to stay…

Chapter Nineteen

Once in the protection of the dense forest, Mari let her tears flow and her quiet sobs echo through the trees as she ran through the brush. She’d been a fool to come looking for Cameron. She’d acted like a moon-eyed bride who missed her husband.